Find Your Perfect Fit in Baker County

Find Your Perfect Fit in Baker County Main Photo

29 Mar 2021


Baker County offers the promise of the perfect life for individuals and businesses alike. Straddling I-84 in northeastern Oregon, Baker County provides the networking and resources businesses require. In addition, the area has the rich, sought-after amenities at an affordable  cost of living that ensures a high quality of life for residents. View this video from the Oregon Trail Electric Co-op to see what Baker County is all about!

Unparalleled Outdoor Recreation

From young families to millennials, retirees and all ages in between, Baker County is the location to find an escape from the stresses found in big city life. The area is defined by the surrounding Wallowa, Elkhorn and Blue mountain ranges and the outdoor recreation they provide across all seasons. The Anthony Lakes Mountain Recreation offers the highest base elevation in Oregon for skiing and snowboarding, while being home to one of the top Nordic Ski Systems in North America. The surrounding area is loved by all ages who enjoy mountain biking and hiking as well. Phillips Lake, just to the West of Baker City, is a 2,235-acre reservoir offering unmatched fishing, boating and camping. History buffs will find the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area a boon for stories on the pioneering gold rush days of the past.

Thriving Arts & Entertainment

Arts in Baker CountyPerhaps the only attribute to match Baker County’s outdoor recreation is the bountiful list of arts and entertainment to be found throughout the area. Centered in the county seat of Baker City, shoppers can spend a fantastic day perusing the unique boutiques, stores and galleries. The rapidly-growing craft beer industry is the perfect complement to a day of shopping in Baker County. A number of family-owned establishments with tasting rooms offer a chance to relax with family and friends while enjoying freshly produced local products. Those interested in the Arts will find Baker County to be a thriving artistic community. The Crossroads Carnegie Art Center offers programming and markets for individuals of all ages. The Baker Heritage Museum exists to help residents and visitors learn to appreciate the area’s past in the 100-year old Baker Municipal Natatorium, a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Family friendly entertainment exists throughout the county, from golfing at the public Quail Ridge Golf Course or enjoying the numerous parks and playgrounds. Baker City’s Geiser-Pollman Park is a community centerpiece offering green spaces for enjoyment ranging from a lazy afternoon to weddings. It borders the Powder River, which can be walked via the  Leo Adler Memorial Parkway.

Vibrant Business Community

Outdoor Recreation in Baker CountyOf course, Baker County is not just about recreation and entertainment. The area is a vibrant and growing economic community as well. One significant advantage for local businesses is the I-84 corridor, which offers easy and reliable access to the metropolitan areas of Seattle, Portland and Boise. Businesses looking for shovel-ready, available sites will find a variety of acreage plots in the Elkhorn View Industrial Park, along with a number of available incentives to make any transition to the park profitable. Entrepreneurs, small business owners and remote workers can find assistance and networking opportunities at the unique Launch Pad Baker, an cooperative venue that maximizes the resources and knowledge of the local business community.

Businesses will also find a skilled workforce in Baker County. The Baker Technical Institute proactively works with businesses to develop and meet the workforce education and training requirements for a broad range of industries. 

As with the original settlers to the area along the Oregon Trail, Baker County offers the promise of a rich rewarding life to those who come to the region. Contact us at the Oregon Trail Electric Co-op today to talk to our economic development specialists to see how relocating your business or moving to Baker County can bring the growth and quality of life you are looking for!